The Worthy Wrestler: Evan Paszek’s Senior Spotlight

For Senior Evan Paszek, high school has revolved around his role as captain of the wrestling team, friendships, and making the most of the time he has had. Looking back on the blur that is the last four years, Evan says he is “lucky to not have a lot of lowlights.” Instead, he reflects on his favorite parts of high school that come from competing with his wrestling team and overall, just spending time with the friends he shows immense gratitude for meeting. From long practices to important matches to his bubbling social life, he defined his high school experience.

As mentioned, wrestling was one of those factors that played a profound role in Paszek’s high school career, and it is what the majority of his time and hard work went into. From long practices to balancing his time with his many other extracurriculars, it was no easy schedule. However, this year, all that hard work paid off when he came in second at state. Not only was his big win the cherry on top of his already special senior year, but it also showed how his consistent effort over time is what brought him to success. 

“I worked for it for years, and I’m glad I could show what I’ve been working on,” Paszek said.

Outside of his sport, Paszek often mentioned the people who helped him get through high school. He credits his parents, sister, and friends as the ones who were always on the sidelines, cheering him on through everything. Whether it was pushing him to keep going or just being there for him when he needed it most, they made a profound difference. He also mentioned that he feels really grateful God placed him with the people he’s with, which proves how important his relationships are to him. 

When it comes to specific memories, one that stands out to Paszek is the one of his senior night for wrestling. Not only was it a celebration of his high school career and the accomplishments from it, but it was also a celebration of memories made with the people he loves the most. It wasn’t just about the matches in specific, he mentions, but rather the experience of it all. 

“It was a great night of competition, and we slammed BJ’s Pizookies after–loved every second of it,” Paszek recalls. 

For him, it is a loving memory that combines everything he talks about: competition, his team, and his simple yet important habit of reveling in the sweetness of success as a product of time and intentional efforts. 

Despite his hesitations about leaving behind the amazing friendships he’s built along the way, Paszek is ecstatic about his future. He is committed to Boise State and will be heading there in the fall of 2026 to start a new chapter. He is especially excited for a change in environment and scenery, mentioning he’s looking forward to “moving to a new place with green hills and snowy weather.” 

The transition from high school to college is tough, but Paszek is confident and ready to take on anything life throws his way. Along the way, in everything from relationships to sports, he has gained many useful skills and experiences through his activities and extracurriculars, which have built a strong foundation for him to add to his experience in the future. As he finishes out the final stretch of his final year of high school, Paszek leaves behind not just achievements in wrestling, but also the friendships and memories that made his high school experience what it was. There is no doubt that he is well-equipped for what will be nothing less than a bright future ahead.

Ready to Rumble//Grinning with pride, senior Evan Paszek poses for a picture. Paszek had just won first place for region champion at the 2026 wrestling regional competition. (Photo courtesy of Evan Paszek)